The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 cycle came to an end earlier this month, with Australia clinching the title by defeating India in the final at The Oval.
The Rohit Sharma-led side was outplayed by Australia in the summit clash. After winning the toss, Indian bowlers failed to make the most of the overcast conditions as Australia rode on centuries from Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121) to rack up 469 in their first innings.
In response, India’s first innings folded for 296, conceding a substantial lead of 173 runs. Australia declared their second essay at 270/8 to set a huge target of 444 in the final innings.
Chasing the target, the Indian batting line-up once again crumbled under pressure, losing seven wickets for 70 runs in the morning session on Day 5 to be bowled out for 234.
With the completion of the WTC 2021-23 cycle, the discussion regarding transition in the Indian Test team has begun.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar also believes that the team management and selectors will need to take some tough calls going into the next edition, asking them to include at least three new batters and as many fast bowlers in the side.
"The game changers for Australia in the WTC final - Steve Smith and Travis Head - don't play a lot of T20 cricket. So we have to find guys who are not going to be fatigued or don't have to make the adjustments from IPL to Test cricket. About time we start rewarding the guys who are doing well in first-class cricket. And not just runs. The selectors could look at players who have it in them to be future Test players and succeed in foreign conditions. I would like to see at least three new batters come into play in the picture and new fast bowlers," Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
The cricketer-turned-commentator further said that the selectors will find enough young batters if they observe domestic cricket carefully.
"When it comes to batting, they just have to look at first-class performers and not just the amount of runs the player has scored. if you closely observe our domestic cricket then you will find players for No.3, 4, 5 who has a decent defensive technique, has an appetite for runs and that's your guy, that's the guy to back," he added.
India's pace battery is also looking thin at the moment because of injuries to Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna and a few other youngsters. There is too much load on Mohammed Siraj and Mohammad Shami while Umesh Yadav seems to have reached the end of his journey.
"Just a few months back I was taking pride in the depth that we have in our seam-bowling department and suddenly Bumrah is not fit. There are quite fit others like Prasidh Krishna so maybe for Test cricket, India need to create a new line of fast bowlers. Now you should look for specific test players. If somebody gets injured, we should have backups ready. Like Scott Boland. Came in straightaway and made an impact. We had to go back to Umesh Yadav which is not a good sign," Manjrekar remarked.
